lirazel | i don't need a man!

Wheeeeeeeeee! What a great song for the morning.

IT'S SO BOUNCY! It definitely got my energy going this morning!

This makes me just so incredibly happy!
Miss A was the reason I got back into dancing and Jia is my Chinese princess! I just have a thing for fierce ladies in K-pop!

Oh, that's so awesome! Jia seems like a badass--I'd like to be bros with her!

So. I have determined that Taemin is a queen and Jia is a princess according to your rate-the-person standards. Who else falls into what categories? I'm interested!

Jia has the best bromances! We all wish~

hmm.
Heechul is Grandmother Queen
Jungmo is Heechul's knight in bitchy armour
Key is a unicorn
Kyuhyun is a princess
Chen is a Sexie
D.O is a magical other-worldly creature trapped in human form
Sehun is an alien princess
BEG are high priestesses of the old religion
Victoria is a swan princess
Changmin is better than everyone
GD is a lady
Kai is a baby princess (but only by lineage. He has a lot of work cut out for him if he wants to live up to his parent's name)

....I can't think of anymore
There are a lot of people who fall into the "princess/queen material" category~
The Infinite boys are sort of magical princes from a world where animals (and in Myungsoo's case, inanimate objects) talk and everything sparkles.

THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE COMMENT. I don't even know half of these people but I am delighted nonetheless.

The Infinite boys are sort of magical princes from a world where animals (and in Myungsoo's case, inanimate objects) talk and everything sparkles.

BWHAHA YES. ~~Especially about Myungsoo~~. Which reminds me: this is the greatest textsfrominfinite ever. Because I absolutely believe this has happened.

WAILS. I can't watch the video right now because I have class, but after you spammed these kids on tumblr last night I went and found some primer-esque comment threads to read + watched a couple videos and I AM WON OVER.

YOU WILL BE IN LOVE WITH THIS VIDEO. THEY ARE IN DRAG TOWARDS THE END. IT'S AMAZING.

Share my love, Kyrie! Share it!

OH NO I WATCHED IT

OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (oh yesssssssss)

I KNEW YOU WOULD LOVE IT. Honestly, while I was watching this, I thought, "OMG Kyrie would love this so much!" ~~I may have been watching it over and over again the past few days.~~

That was delightful and perfect workout music (I'm on my iPad at the gym)!

It is, isn't it! If I ever get around to making myself work out, I think I'll be using mostly kpop for mood music!

Squee, dude. Squee.

I match your enthusiasm/EPIC LOVE - for this song/anything 2NE1 does, ever::

Not because of the lyrics (in which all the girls lament that they are ugly) - but because they are ALL BADASS MOTHERFRAXKKERS - There is nothing that isn't ridiculous about the lyrics set next to these lovelies being fierce. It's my fave "get pumped" song... which I don't think is ironic at all.

I didn't realize Miss A was so lovely, too! I always anticipate the girl-pops to be hyper-feminine and overtly sexualized. Miss A for the win! (also 2NE1, my heart!)

(Side note: Have you seen the SNE1 music video for "Go Away" where they kill [yes, kill - with flames and everything] one of the girls' abusive boyfriends? IT'S SO EPIC! kpop ladies for the win)

lol what are those lyrics even. I really like their musicality, though - like, I enjoyed listening to this, lyrics aside. And it goes without saying that the way they present their badass selves is flawless.

I can't decide if the song is wonderfully subversive, or just sad. Mostly I find it wonderful - this beautiful group of girls singing about how they won't ever be like the other girls - they'll never be the "pretty" ones and meanwhile they're kicking down doors and getting their bad-assery on.

It's either flawless or depressing.

It's either flawless or depressing

IT IS! I can't decide either--but I think because of the world we live in, the brutal honesty of it (because so many, many women feel exactly this way) combined with their attitudes makes it lean towards flawless?

I lean towards flawless - the "I think I'm ugly" is SO! Ugh! Without the video and their fierce faces and their peppy/rockstar attitude - it's so sad.

But I love it to death and get pumped every time I hear it.

Because what it means to me is: I'm not like those other girls, but someday it's not going to matter. "I want to be pretty" = Let's change our definition of what pretty means and make it fierce. Especially the resiliance - don't TELL me that I'm "pretty" - I know that I'm "ugly" - I know that I'm fierce and strong and can kick your ass... and someday that's gonna be pretty, but until then - Back the Frack up.

THESE GIRLS GIVE ME FEELINGS!

Without the video and their fierce faces and their peppy/rockstar attitude - it's so sad

Exactly.

"I want to be pretty" = Let's change our definition of what pretty means and make it fierce. Especially the resiliance - don't TELL me that I'm "pretty" - I know that I'm "ugly" - I know that I'm fierce and strong and can kick your ass... and someday that's gonna be pretty, but until then - Back the Frack up.

THIS IS SO PERFECT I CAN'T.

.... it's probably around this moment that I seriously regret I'm not an 18 year old that can switch my major to Asian studies at the drop of a hat....

BECAUSE HOW CAN KPOP BE SO PERFECT AND SUBVERSIVE AND YET SO NOT AT THE SAME TIME?

Someone tell me.

#feelz

I KNOW! I think it would be amazing to write a thesis on gender performance in kpop, wouldn't it? Like, there would be SO MUCH to dig through, including all the ways it's subversive and all the ways it isn't. You'll never get to the bottom of it!

I would get lost in it, no joke. There would be no up or down anymore. I so wish I could, though. It just would be pretty nearly impossible at this stage - all new readers and the hassle of probably a couple YEARS of research to make up for my lack of background in the field.... I wish I could take something like this to a conference at some point, though.

WHAT THE HECK ARE THOSE LYRICS? That is so strange! But the video is so ridiculously fierce! And the Go Away video is, too--I was shocked when they had him actually hit her, but then her friends all rallied around her and pulled her to her feet and I was so excited! AND THEN THE GIANT FIREBALL AT THE END. LOVE IT.

2NE1 - these girls aren't princesses - they're Muther-Fraxkking Warrior Beasts.

THEY ARE.

It pleases me to now end that Miss A has the same fearless fierceness, too. ;)

Their fierceness is a little more...conventionally feminine, but still enough theirs that it makes me happy. I cannot for the life of me figure out what's happening in this video, but I'm pretty sure they almost kill this guy who wouldn't respect them? WHO EVEN KNOWS. I just know that it seems super badass!

I HAD SOMEHOW COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THIS VIDEO AND NOW I FEEL DERPY.

Because my ex-Roomie was obsessed with Dream High (I could never get into it) and so she would play this music video all the time as a way to explain to me the need to watch DH (there was this period of time when we were living together in which we would force anyone and everyone who came to the house to watch our fave Kpop music videos/dramas - this, Sixth Sense, Fantastic Baby, and BTD were usually on the top of the list... ~~mostly because none of them make much sense and I always wanted someone to explain what the hell was happening to me~~)

Anyway. They're super badass. (You've seen Sixth Sense by the Brown Eyed Girls, yes? I'm pretty sure they are starting a Revolution somewhere - but I was never really clear on why. My guess? BECAUSE THEY CAN. Also - they're all chained up to something at the beginning [or trapped somewhere] and by the end: WAR. IDEK!)

Dream High is just okay, but Suzy's character is AWESOME--she's this fantastic bitch, totally cold and wonderful, but she's so human and the show loves her and lets her grow and mature as a person without ever punishing her for the fact that she's a bitch? And she has a lovely lady bff played by IU who is my QUEEN. It goes a little too far with the whole "the guy who loves her deserves her" thing, but she herself is fantastic and I've been fond of her ever since.

mostly because none of them make much sense and I always wanted someone to explain what the hell was happening to me

Apparently BTD is some sort of ~allegory about the Korean school system? Like the level of competition in it? Because the guys aare being forced to fight each other at first, but then they team up and defeat the guy keeping them captive, but then they start fghting each other again because that's all they know? Until they finally hurt each other enough that they're like FORGET THIS and they want to escape together but they're TRAPPED FOREVER. Apparently. Mostly I just like the vibe of it and think it makes no sense whatsoever.

BROWN EYED GIRLS KICK ASS. And Sixth Sense is my FAVORITE video of theirs even though I also have no idea why they're starting their revolution.

My guess? BECAUSE THEY CAN.

THIS IS THE BEST GUESS. And knowing them and how they sort of assembled their group on their own initiative out of the rejects of other groups, this seems even more likely.

BTW!!!! Have you seen this video yet? Because Ga In just put it out, and this is a video about female desire and I never thought I would see something like this in kpop, but count on Ga In to go there.

but she's so human and the show loves her and lets her grow and mature as a person without ever punishing her for the fact that she's a bitch? I'm such a TROLL. Every time I would try to watch this show with my Roomie I would STAN the hell out of everything this precious girl did (it was the one kdrama where I didn't buy that the mean girl is just mean to be mean - there was SO MUCH MORE going on!) ... but Roomie would scoff at me and convince me otherwise and list off all the ~bitchy until I just didn't want to watch anymore. Maybe I'll give it a go again during the Holidays when I have more free time.

Apparently BTD is some sort of ~allegory about the Korean school system? I've heard that before! And I gotta say - love the Vampirism too much to let it go. #shameless dork

BROWN EYED GIRLS KICK ASS First kpop crush was on this band. Every single one of them.

And Sixth Sense is my FAVORITE video of theirs even though I also have no idea why they're starting their revolution. MINE TOO - Only I think that it's about being tied to things/expectations or being trapped? The girl chained to the microphones and having to deal with a press conference makes me think they're talking about their own lives - plus the "sex kitten" trapped in a giant litter box; the girl in the pool/drowning = "beauty in death" - possibly even a rejection/symbol of anorexia (starvation/thinness/death/beauty all being tangled up and women get trapped in it); and then the girl tied to a chair... is the Femme Fatale? IDEK OK? I spend A LOT of time trying to figure out this video.

No I haven't!.... and I got about halfway through before I realized - CAN'T really watch this at work. But of what I saw? I want this girl for Christmas.

I would STAN the hell out of everything this precious girl did (it was the one kdrama where I didn't buy that the mean girl is just mean to be mean - there was SO MUCH MORE going on!)

I STAN HER SO HARD. And you're so right--there was tons of layers of motivations for her. I kind of can't believe they created such a great character in such an otherwise just-okay show. I mean, it's one thing when like SUFBB creates a fabulous character--you expect that. But Dream High? That show didn't deserve her.

And I gotta say - love the Vampirism too much to let it go. #shameless dork

I KNOW.

I thoroughly approve of your kpop crush on BEG. They are amazing.

Now I've got to go watch Sixth Sense again when I get home! I need to analyze it more!

Yeah, that video's not the most NSFW but it's kind of mindblowing!

But Dream High? That show didn't deserve her. le sigh - I sort of got that sense from it. Shame on them!

And I gotta say - love the Vampirism too much to let it go. #shameless dork || I KNOW. WHY ISN'T THIS A THING?

Now I've got to go watch Sixth Sense again when I get home! I need to analyze it more! IT'S SO FULL OF THINGS!!!

BTW!!!! Have you seen this video yet? Because Ga In just put it out, and this is a video about female desire and I never thought I would see something like this in kpop, but count on Ga In to go there.

I AM SPEECHLESS. CAN THIS WOMAN BE IN CHARGE OF ALL THE THINGS?!?!!?

I knew you'd like it!

Oh gosh, such pretty. I can't handle that much prettyyyy.

They're such lovely ladies!

Don't you do it, Lauren. DON'T YOU PULL ME INTO ANOTHER ONE. I'm busy, okay? Stop it.

LOL that icon!

ALSO : YOUUUUU AND YOUR FANMIX!!!!!!! MY LOVE FOR YOU KNOWS NO BOUND RIGHT NOW. JUST. YOU RULE ALL THINGS ♥ (But I still hate you, because I need sleep DAMMIT.)

Edited 2012-10-17 01:53 (UTC)

EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Do you like it for reals? \o/

STILL NOT SORRY, BRO.

I fucking love it. Like, I didn't know most of the songs and now I'm listening to them on a loop. What even, bro.

(Don't be, obviously. This fic is the best new thing in my life /vomits)

*claps hands* I SO LOVE THAT YOU LOVE IT AND HAVE LISTENED MORE THAN ONCE.

Are you reading STK, then? Has it sploded your heart yet? Are you drowning in feels? BEST STORY BEST CHILDREN OMG.

Lauren is the most amazing writer, y/y?

Are you reading STK, then? Has it sploded your heart yet? Are you drowning in feels? BEST STORY BEST CHILDREN OMG.

My heart is no more, Jamie. It died from feels overload. YOU DID THIS AND I SO HATE YOU.

But yeeeeees oh my god best everything. Lauren wins at all things angst and porn and plot (which are my three favorite things in the world, so basically I'm in love) and GOD how is this so GOOD? I actually have to stay away at the moment because I know that whenever I start reading, I just don't stop until four hours later (or you know, all night...) and I have no timeee (WOE WOE WOE).

I am blushing all over the place--you're so NICE OMG.

You are the best.

HAHA! Your sassy!Dumbledore icon just makes this better!

Don't worry--I don't think they'll be life ruiners. I don't forsee writing tons of fic or anything from them--just watching their videos and maybe some interviews and reblogging things on tumblr!

REVISITING A MONTHS-OLD POST BECAUSE I AM HAVING SOME FEELINGS ABOUT KPOP GIRLS AND ONLY LAUREN WILL UNDERSTAND AND I FIGURE THIS IS AS GOOD A PLACE AS ANY TO PUT THEM

But no, seriously omg Lauren this has been eating me up inside -- you may have noticed a recent influx in 2NE1 posts on my tumblr, and basically I totally dig them and their badass image and think they're rad as hell because ASSERTIVE KPOP GIRL BANDS ARE THE WAY TO MY HEART, I SUPPOSE, as they well should be. And the thing is, I recently read an article where someone said they didn't think they were all that because in the end, 2NE1's ~fierce~ image is something still packaged and sold by the (male) suits in charge with an interest in making a buck, not empowering women, and 2NE1 isn't really that rebellious because it's all ultimately a manufactured image being put out there when the girls are tightly restricted like any other kpop group and they can't date or anything (which is especially ridiculous since two of the members of 2NE1 are seriously 28 years old and yet not allowed to have relationships).

And, like. I get where this is coming from! But I also disagree on multiple levels? Because first off, it's not the girls' fault that industry rules are preventing them from having, like, NORMAL LIVES. It sucks, but they're not the ones who should be blamed for that or derided for not being as badass and independent as their music/image would promote. It's out of their control and I don't think it's cool to shame them for having to conform to unfair rules when.........if they don't follow those rules their careers are potentially over! And, more importantly, I think that even if their music/image is something a bunch of men came up with in the hope that it would sell just like the more conventional male gaze-y OPPA I LOVE YOU stuff other girl bands put out does, that doesn't necessarily mean that there is no meaning to be found in the material of 2NE1 or Miss A or any other badass lady band? Like, it's kind of a "death of the author" thing in a way -- even if nobody behind the scenes cared about ladies and their agency, that doesn't mean it's invalid for the audience to take joy in that and find it/those groups wonderful. I'm sure it's possible that whoever wrote/produced/etc. Bad Girl Good Girl and I Don't Need A Man was just looking to sell some image of empowerment and dichotomy-busting, but that doesn't mean the members of Miss A are mindless automatons who don't really care about or believe in what they're supporting.

(which brings me to another thing -- this person's point was essentially "2NE1 aren't really that fierce and independent because they are ultimately managed and sold by men like any other girl group," buuuut I feel like that kind of just.......erases them from their own music, on a level? Like, maybe YG and JYP just want to sell girl power because girl power sells, but that doesn't equate to 2NE1 and Miss A not being made up of ladies who are fierce and rad and wonderful in their own right. Sure, it's possible a bunch of guys in charge are controlling them/their music to a degree, but they're not brainless robots. Obvs I don't know their lives but just as there's the potential that these women don't necessarily care about/believe in not needing dudes or being powerful and independent, there's also the potential that they do care and they are committed and they do want people to be inspired by it, even if they aren't the ones who came up with the lyrics and the image in the first place.)

ANYWAY, THIS IS A LONG COMMENT THAT IS AS MENTIONED HILARIOUSLY TACKED ON TO A SUPER OLD ENTRY BUT I'VE BEEN THINKING ON IT A LOT AND I THOUGHT MAYBE YOU'D BE INTERESTED/HAVE YOUR OWN THOUGHTS. lolololol i feel like this all basically boils down to me being defensive of girl groups that give me ~feelings about how they express agency in their music even if that agency might just be a product to the entertainment companies selling them.

Edited 2012-12-28 06:32 (UTC)

I am 100% on your side. Like, all women throughout history in partriarichal societies have had to navigate 'how do I empower myself and other women and tell the truth while basically being confined by the prison of patriarchy?' We all have to figure that stuff out! And most of the time we have been controlled by men, but that doesn't make our struggle to speak truth any less ours or any less powerful. Saying it does just gives men EVEN MORE POWER which is really the last thing they need. And yes, powerful/rich men are going to use our truth-speaking to sell things, that's going to happen. And in this case, it's usually men writing these things (JYP writes almost all of his bands' songs and the man is talented but he is an egomaniac), but that doesn't mean that the women singing these songs aren't striving to put real female empowerment (however they define that, even if they wouldn't define it in those terms) into the music and it definitely doesn't mean that women listening can't find empowerment in things that were prepackaged. THERE IS NO PURE ART THAT IS BOUGHT OR SOLD. SERIOUSLY, come on. If you're intending art for an audience, especially if you're expecting to sell it or make money off of it in some way, there's a degree of...compromise there. BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY BAD COMPROMISE. Because self-indulgance in art is most often annoying! You don't create art for yourself, you create it to communicate with other people so there's absolutely nothing wrong with that compromise. We'd have to discredit ALL ALL THAT WAS EVER BOUGHT OR SOLD if we go down that road and that is just ridiculous.

And the degree to which these companies control these women's (and men's, but that's less fraught) lives is just disgusting and wrong and I wouldn't have a problem with people criticizing the audience for being complicit in that wrongness (it's something I fret about myself). But the women themselves? Seriously? This is dismissal of women masquerading as feminism and I have no time for it. Your thoughts are all correct and I love them and you.

BTW, you should chat with

kwritten sometime about 2ne1 (which I STILL pronounce as to-anyone in my head), because she has lots of feelings and we have had conversations about "Ugly" which I think you would be interested in.

i don't need a man!

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